Effect of energy content of the nitraminic plastic bonded explosives on their performance and sensitivity characteristics

Information about the forty nine nitraminic plastic bonded explosives (PBXs) and different nitramines were collected. Fillers of these PBXs are nitramines 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX) and β-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5-tetrazocane (β-HMX), cis-1,3,4,6-tetranitro-octahydroimidazo-[4,5-d]imidazole (bicyclo-HMX, BCHMX) and ε-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (ε-HNIW, CL-20) which are bonded by polyfluoro-elastomers, polydimethyl-siloxane, poly-glycidyl azide, polyisobutylene, polystyrene-butadiene, poly-acrylonitrile-butadiene and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene in addition to a melt cast compositions based on 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene. For thirty two of these PBXs the relationships are specified and analyzed between heats of their combustion and relative explosive strengths; by means of these relationships it might be possible to estimate, which groupings in the macromolecule of binder could be liable to their primary fission in the PBXs initiation. Similarly, for forty two of these explosives, the relationships are described and analyzed between their enthalpies of formation and impact sensitivities; here is especially attention paid to PBXs filled by BCHMX. Specific rate constants from Vacuum Stability Test (VST) of four nitramines and twenty PBXs are introduced into relationships with their enthalpies of formation. Regarding to all the mentioned cases, increasing of energy content of the studied explosives leads to increase of the relative explosive strength or initiation reactivity, respectively. Exception with the opposite trend, the outputs of VST are for BCHMX, where in PBXs are matrices with the esteric plasticizers or the energetic poly-glycidyl azide. Admixture of RDX or HMX, respectively, into the BCHX PBXs gives ternary PBXs whose thermal stability, in the sense of applied VST, is higher comparing to the original binary explosives.     

Study of nano-nitramine explosives: preparation,sensitivity and application

Nano-nitramine explosives (RDX, HMX, CL-20) are produced on a bi-directional grinding mill. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations show that the prepared particles are semi-spherical, and the narrow size distributions are characterized using the laser particle size analyzer. Compared with the micron-sized samples, the nano-products show obvious decrease in friction and impact sensitivities. In the case of shock sensitivities, nano-products have lower values by 59.9% (RDX), 56.4% (HMX), and 58.1% (CL-20), respectively. When nano-RDX and nano-HMX are used in plastic bonded explosives (PBX) as alternative materials of micron-sized particles, their shock sensitivities are significantly decreased by 24.5% (RDX) and 22.9% (HMX), and their detonation velocities are increased by about 1.7%. Therefore, it is expected to promote the application of nano-nitramine explosives in PBXs and composite modified double-based propellants (CMDBs) so that some of their properties would be improved.     

Effects of nano-sized aluminum on detonation characteristics and metal acceleration for RDX-based aluminized explosive

Nano-sized aluminum(Nano-Al)powders hold promise in enhancing the total energy of explosives and the metal acceleration ability at the same time.However,the near-detonation zone effects of reaction between Nano-Al with detonation products remain unclear.In this study,the overall reaction process of 170 nm Al with RDX explosive and its effect on detonation characteristics,detonation reaction zone,and the metal acceleration ability were comprehensively investigated through a variety of experiments such as the detonation velocity test,detonation pressure test,explosive/window interface velocity test and confined plate push test using high-resolution laser interferometry.Lithium fluoride(LiF),which has an inert behavior during the explosion,was used as a control to compare the contribution of the reaction of aluminum.A thermochemical approach that took into account the reactivity of aluminum and ensuing detonation products was adopted to calculate the additional energy release by afterburn.Combining the numerical simulations based on the calculated afterburn energy and experimental results,the param-eters in the detonation equation of state describing the Nano-Al reaction characteristics were calibrated.This study found that when the 170 nm Al content is from 0％to 15％,every 5％increase of aluminum resulted in about a 1.3％decrease in detonation velocity.Manganin pressure gauge measurement showed no significant enhancement in detonation pressure.The detonation reaction time and reaction zone length of RDX/Al/wax/80/15/5 explosive is 64 ns and 0.47 mm,which is respectively 14％and 8％higher than that of RDX/wax/95/5 explosive(57 ns and 0.39 mm).Explosive/window interface velocity curves show that 170 nm Al mainly reacted with the RDX detonation products after the detonation front.For the recording time of about 10 μs throughout the plate push test duration,the maximum plate velocity and plate acceleration time accelerated by RDX/Al/wax/80/15/5 explosive is 12％and 2.9 μs higher than that of RDX/LiF/wax/80/15/5,respectively,indicating that the aluminum reaction energy significantly increased the metal acceleration time and ability of the explosive.Numerical simulations with JWLM explosive equation of state show that when the detonation products expanded to 2 times the initial volume,over 80％of the aluminum had reacted,implying very high reactivity.These results are significant in attaining a clear understanding of the reaction mechanism of Nano-Al in the development of aluminized explosives.     

Hyperspectral imaging and remote trace detection of cis-1,3,4,6-tetranitrooctahydroimidazo-[4,5 d] imidazole (BCHMX) compared with traditional explosives using laser induced fluorescence

cis-1,3,4,6-Tetranitrooctahydroimidazo-[4,5 d] imidazole (BCHMX) is an advanced energetic compound that expected to spread worldwide in the near future. Since, no approved remote detection methods were reported in current literature for this material, we performed hyper-spectral imaging and laser induced fluorescence (LIF) to a BCHMX sample under low laser fluence for determining the optimum laser wavelength used in any future BCHMX-LIF based remote detection systems. For this purpose, an experimental setup consisted of a sun spectrum lamp and hyper-spectral camera was built to illuminate and image white powder samples of BCHMX in comparison with the traditional explosives, HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane), RDX (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane), PETN (2,2-Bis[(nitroxy)methyl]propane-1,3-diyldinitrate). The imaging reveals strong BCHMX sample absorption contrast among other samples at wavelength ranging from 400 to 410 nm. When light source was replaced by a 405 nm laser diode illuminator, a strong BCHMX sample LIF at the spectral range from 425 to 700 nm was observed under low laser fluence condition of 0.1 mJ/cm². Finally, we demonstrated successfully the ability of the 405 nm LIF and the hyperspectral imaging technique to detect finger print traces of BCHMX on white cellulose fabric from a distance of 15 m and a detection limit of 1 μg/cm².     

Shock initiation performance of NTO-based polymer bonded explosive

3-nitro-1,2,4-tri-azol-5-one (NTO) is a high energy insensitive explosive. To study the shock initiation process of NTO-based polymer bonded explosive JEOL-1 (32%octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), 32% NTO, 28% Al and 8% binder system), the cylinder test, the gap experiments and numerical simulation were carried out. Firstly, we got the detonation velocity (7746 m/s) and the parameters of Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL) equation of state (EOS) for detonation product by cylinder test and numerical simulation. Secondly, the Hugoniot curve of unreacted explosive for JEOL-1 was obtained calculating the data of pressure and time at different Lagrangian positions. Then the JWL EOS of unreacted explosive was obtained by utilizing the Hugoniot curve as the reference curve. Finally, we got the pressure growth history of JEOL-1 under shock wave stimulation and the parameters of the ignition and growth reaction rate equation were obtained by the pressure-time curves measured by the shock-initiation gap experiment and numerical simulation. The determined trinomial ignition and growth model (IG model) parameters can be applied to subsequently simulation analysis and design of insensitive ammunition with NTO-based polymer bonded explosive.     

爆炸逻辑间隙零门实验研究

为了可靠实现爆炸逻辑间隙零门的原理功能,提出并验证了一种基于精细RDX和含能胶合剂的传爆药方案.通过实验探索了基于该传爆药的爆炸零门适用的间隙宽度范围,并设计了一种小尺寸爆炸逻辑间隙零门,为爆炸逻辑网络设计提供参考.     

Performances and direct writing of CL-20 based ultraviolet curing explosive ink

A new type of explosive ink formulation that can be quickly cured was prepared with unsaturated polyester as binder,styrene as active monomer,2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl-diphenylphosphine oxide as photoinitiator,and hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) as the main explosive.Then the explosive ink direct writing technology was used to charge the micro-sized energetic devices,the curing mechanism of the explosive ink was discussed,and the microstructure,safety performance and explosive transfer performance of the explosive ink molded samples were tested and analyzed.Results indicate that the composite material has a fast curing molding speed,its hardness can reach 2H within 8 min.The crystal form of CL-20 in the molded sample is still ε type.The CL-20 based W-curing explosive ink formulation has good compatibility,its apparent activation energy is increased by about 3.5 kJ/mol.The composite presents a significant reduction in impact sensitivity and its characteristic drop height can reach 39.8 cm,which is about 3 times higher than the raw material.When the line width of charge is 1.0 mm,the critical thickness of the explosion can reach 0.015 mm,and the explosion velocity is 7129 m/s when the charge density is 1.612 g/cm3.     

Prediction of concentration of toxic gases produced by detonation of commercial explosives by thermochemical equilibrium calculations

An adverse effect resulting from explosive mine blasts is the production of toxic nitrogen oxides (NO and NO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO). The empirical measurements of the concentration of toxic gases showed that it depends not only on the composition of an explosive and properties of its ingredients but also on several other parameters, such as volume of blasting chamber, explosive charge mass and design, confinement characteristics, surrounding atmosphere, etc. That explains why measured concentrations of toxic gases reported in literature significantly differ.In this paper, we discuss the possibility of theoretical prediction of the concentration of toxic gases by thermochemical equilibrium calculation applying two models: ideal detonation model and deflagration model. It can be demonstrated that thermochemical calculations can provide a good estimation of the measured concentrations and reproduce experimentally obtained effects of additives on the production of toxic gases. It was also found that the ideal detonation model applies to heavily confined explosive charges, while the deflagration model is more suitable for low detonation velocity explosives with light confinement.     

爆轰波在可压缩金属板面上斜反射初始参数的计算

本文计算了爆轰波在可压缩金属板面上斜反射时的初始参数。计算中选用的五种炸药是TNT(p_0为1.64g/cm~3,1.45g/cm~3)、RDX(p_0为1.59g/cm~3,1.76g/cm~3,1.80g/cm~3)、RDX/TNT(77/23)(p_0为1.75g/cm~3)、Pentolite(p_0为1.65g/cm~3,1.68g/cm~3)和B 炸药(p_0为1.71g/cm~3);三种介质是铁、铜和铝。     

Reaction degree of composition B explosive with multi-layered compound structure protection subjected to detonation loading

The explosive reaction degree and protection from explosions are concerns in the military field.In this work,the reaction degree of the composition B explosive was investigated experimentally.Multi-layered compound structures were used as barriers to weaken the blast loads.A comprehensive experiment using a high-speed camera and image processing techniques,side witness plates,and bottom witness plates was presented.Using the experimental fragment velocities,fragment piercing patterns,and damage characteristics,the reaction degree of the explosive impeded by different multi-layered com-pound structures could be precisely differentiated.Reaction parameters of the explosive obstructed by compound structures were obtained by theoretical analysis and numerical simulations.Unlike the common method in which the explosive reaction degree is only distinguished based on the initial pressure amplitude transmitted into the explosive,a following shock wave reflected from the side steel casing was also considered.Different detonation growth paths in the explosive formed.Therefore,all these shock wave propagation characteristics must be considered to analyze the explosive response impeded by compound structures.     

Experimental and numerical investigations of interface properties of Ti6Al4V/CP-Ti/Copper composite plate prepared by explosive welding

Explosive welding technique is widely used in many industries. This technique is useful to weld different kinds of metal alloys that are not easily welded by any other welding methods. Interlayer plays an important role to improve the welding quality and control energy loss during the collision process. In this paper, the Ti6Al4V plate was welded with a copper plate in the presence of a commercially pure titanium interlayer. Microstructure details of welded composite plate were observed through optical and scanning electron microscope. Interlayer-base plate interface morphology showed a wavy structure with solid melted regions inside the vortices. Moreover, the energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis in the interlayer-base interface reveals that there are some identified regions of different kinds of chemical equilibrium phases of Cu–Ti, i.e. CuTi, Cu₂Ti, CuTi₂, Cu₄Ti, etc. To study the mechanical properties of composite plates, mechanical tests were conducted, including the tensile test, bending test, shear test and Vickers hardness test. Numerical simulation of explosive welding process was performed with coupled Smooth Particle Hydrodynamic method, Euler and Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method. The multi-physics process of explosive welding, including detonation, jetting and interface morphology, was observed with simulation. Moreover, simulated plastic strain, temperature and pressure profiles were analysed to understand the welding conditions. Simulated results show that the interlayer base plate interface was created due to the high plastic deformation and localized melting of the parent plates. At the collision point, both alloys behave like fluids, resulting in the formation of a wavy morphology with vortices, which is in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Field test and probabilistic analysis of irregular steel debris casualty risks from a person-borne improvised explosive device

Person-borne improvised explosive devices (PBIEDs) are often used in terrorist attacks in Western countries. This study aims to predict the trajectories of PBIED fragments and the subsequent safety risks for people exposed to this hazard. An explosive field test with a typical PBIED composed of a plastic explosive charge and steel nut enhancements was performed to record initial fragment behaviour, including positions, velocity, and trajectory angles. These data were used to predict the full trajectory of PBIED fragments using a probabilistic analysis. In the probabilistic analyses a probability of fatality or serious injury was computed. Based on the results presented, many practical conclusions can be drawn, for instance, regarding safe evacuation distances if a person were exposed to a suspected PBIED.     

Preparation and characterization of HMX/NH2-GO composite with enhanced thermal safety and desensitization

To improve the safety of HMX, HMX/NH₂-GO composite was prepared with aqueous ammonia functionalized graphene oxide (NH₂-GO). The composite was characterized by SEM, Zeta potential, XPS, Raman spectrum, XRD, HPLC, DSC and BAM sensitivity test. The results indicated that the functionalization with aqueous ammonia can enhance the interaction between GO and HMX, and more efficiently desensitize the explosive. The optimal impact sensitivity of the HMX/NH₂-GO composite can be not less than 40 J, which is also the most insensitivity compared to the previous reports prepared by coating desensitization with non-energetic desensitized material. Moreover, the potential reason for the different impact and friction sensitivity was also discussed, which may bring a novel perspective to achieve the desensitization of energetic material.     

Formation and characterization of core-shell CL-20/TNT composite prepared by spray-drying technique

The core-shell 2,4,6,8,10,12-Hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane/2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (CL-20/TNT) composite was prepared by spray-drying method in which sensitive high energy explosive (CL-20) was coated with insensitive explosive (TNT). The structure and properties of different formulations of CL-20/TNT composite and CL-20/TNT mixture were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Laser particle size analyzer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), impact sensitivity test and detonation performance. The results of SEM, TEM, XPS and XRD show that ϵ-CL-20 particles are coated by TNT. When the ratio of CL-20/TNT is 75/25, core-shell structure is well formed, and thickness of the shell is about 20–30 nm. And the analysis of heat and impact show that with the increase of TNT content, the TNT coating on the core-shell composite material can not only catalyze the thermal decomposition of core material (CL-20), but also greatly reduce the impact sensitivity. Compared with the CL-20/TNT mixture (75/25) at the same ratio, the characteristic drop height of core-shell CL-20/TNT composite (75/25) increased by 47.6% and the TNT coating can accelerate the nuclear decomposition in the CL-20/TNT composites. Therefore, the preparation of the core-shell composites can be regarded as a unique means, by which the composites are characterized by controllable decomposition rate, high energy and excellent mechanical sensitivity and could be applied to propellants and other fields.     

Preparation of reduced sensitivity co-crystals of cyclic nitramines using spray flash evaporation

The present day weapon technology demands novel energetic materials that exhibit simultaneous high explosive yield and reduced sensitivity. This article demonstrates application of spray evaporation to prepare reduced sensitive co-crystals of high performance nitramine explosives like HMX and CL-20 with a relatively less insensitive explosive 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene or FOX-7. Stronger intermolecular hydrogen bonding in FOX-7 is responsible for limited solubility in most of organic solvents. Large solubility differences of FOX-7 with HMX and CL-20 restricts it's co-crystallization through classical methods that yields thermodynamically favorable product. Spray flash evaporation, a kinetic crystallization method, has been therefore adopted and could successfully produce CL-20/FOX-7 (2:1) and HMX/FOX-7 (4:1) co-crystals. The fine powdered materials obtained were characterized by SEM, powder XRD, Raman spectroscopy, DSC-TGA etc. Multipoint Raman spectra showed consistent occurrence of spectral features indicating stoichiometric co-existence of ingredients in the crystal lattices. DSC analysis showed absence of all thermally assisted solid-solid phase transformation in the co-crystals as they were observed in pristine materials. The thermal stability calculated in terms of activation barrier for decomposition, revealed the CL-20/FOX-7 co-crystal to be intermediately stable on comparison to their constituents while, the HMX/FOX-7 co-crystal is more stable. Compared to pure HMX and CL-20, both the co-crystals have shown higher insensitivity to impact force, suggesting them to be suitable for future generation insensitive munitions.     

Investigation on energy output structure of explosives near-ground explosion

In order to give the energy output structure of typical explosives near-ground explosion in real ground conditions, the free-field shockwave, ground reflection shockwave and Mach wave overpressure time history of composition B explosive, RDX explosive and aluminized explosive were measured by air pressure sensors and ground pressure sensors. The shape of the free-field shock wave, ground reflection shock wave, and Mach wave and explosion flame were captured by high-speed camera. The experimental results show that, at the same horizontal distance from the initiation point, the peak overpressure of explosive shock wave of composition B explosive, both in the air and on the ground, is less than that of RDX and aluminized explosives. At a distance of 3.0 m from the initiation point, the peak overpressure of aluminized explosives is slightly less than that of RDX explosives. Owing to the exothermic effect of aluminum powder, the pressure drop of aluminized explosives is slower than that of RDX explosives. At 5.0 m from the initiation point, the peak overpressure of aluminized explosives is larger than that of RDX explosives. At the same position from the initiation point, among the three kinds of explosives, the impulse of aluminized explosives is the maximum and the impulse of composition B explosives is the minimum. With the increase of the horizontal distance from the initiation point, the height of Mach triple-points (Mach steam) of the three explosives increases gradually. At the same horizontal distance from the initiation point, there is poorly difference in the height of Mach triple-points between aluminized explosive and RDX explosive, and the height of Mach triple-points of composition B explosive is much smaller than that of other two explosives. The maximum diameter and duration of the fireball formed by aluminized explosives are the largest, followed by composition B explosive, and the maximum diameter and duration of the fireball formed by RDX explosive are the smallest.     

关于小尺寸装药用炸药薄膜的研究

利用真空蒸镀技术对太安炸药薄膜及其在小尺寸装药上的应用进行了研究。实验表明利用真空蒸镀技术可以研制出性能优良的炸药薄膜 ;红外光谱分析证明太安在蒸镀前后没有发生质的变化 ;扫描电镜分析得出了太安薄膜的微观结构 ;太安炸药薄膜在小尺寸装药上的应用表明了该装药具有可靠的传爆功能。     

Analysis on damage characteristics and detonation performance of solid rocket engine charge subjected to jet

To further explore the damage characteristics and impact response of the shaped charge to the solid rocket engine (SRE) in storage or transportation, protective armor was designed and the shelled charges model (SCM)/SRE with protective armor impacting by shaped charge tests were conducted. Air overpressures at 5 locations and axial acceleration caused by the explosion were measured, and the experimental results were compared with two air overpressure curves of propellant detonation obtained by related scholars. Afterwards, the finite element software AUTODYN was used to simulate the SCM impacted process and SRE detonation results. The penetration process and the formation cause of damage were analyzed. The detonation performance of TNT, reference propellant, and the propellant used in this experiment was compared. The axial acceleration caused by the explosion was also analyzed. By comprehensive comparison, the energy released by the detonation of this propellant is larger, and the HMX or Al particles contained in this propellant are more than the reference propellant, with a TNT equivalent of 1.168–1.196. Finally, advanced protection armor suggestions were proposed based on the theory of woven fabric rubber composite armor (WFRCA).     

Preparation and characterization of HMX/EVA/hBNNSs micro-composites with improved thermal stability and reduced sensitivity

Hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets(HBNNSs)have huge potential in the field of coating materials owing to their remarkable chemical stability,mechanical strength and thermal conductivity.Thin-layer hBNNSs were obtained by a liquid-phase exfoliation of h-BN powders and incorporated into EVA coatings for improving the safety performance of 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane(HMX).HBNNSs and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer(EVA)were introduced to HMX by a solvent-slurry process.For com-parison,the HMX/EVA and HMX/EVA/graphene(HMX/EVA/G)composites were also prepared by a similar process.The morphology,crystal form,surface element distribution,thermal decomposition property and impact sensitivity of HMX/EVA/hBNNSs composites were contrastively investigated.Results showed that as prepared HMX/EVA/hBNNSs composites were well coated with hBNNSs and EVA,and exhibited better thermal stability and lower impact sensitivity than that of HMX/EVA and HMX/EVA/G composites,suggesting superior performance of desensitization of hBNNSs in explosives.     

Numerical modelling of non-ideal detonation in ANFO explosives applying Wood-Kirkwood theory coupled with EXPLO5 thermochemical code

Ammonium nitrate and fuel oil (ANFO) based explosive is a classic example of non-ideal high explosives. Its detonation is characterized by a strong dependence of detonation parameters on explosive charge diameter, presence and characteristics of confinement, as well as incomplete consumption of explosive at the sonic point.In this work we propose a detonation model based on the Wood-Kirkwood (WK) theory coupled with the thermochemical code EXPLO5 and supplemented with reaction rate models. Our objective is to analyze the validity of the model for highly non-ideal ANFO explosives, with emphasis on effect of reaction rate models.It was found that both single-step and two-step pressure-based models can be calibrated to reproduce experimental detonation velocity-charge radius data of ANFO at radii significantly above the failure radius (i.e. for D/D_id > ∼0.6). Single-step pressure-based model, with the pressure exponent equal to 1.4, proved to be the most accurate, even in the vicinity of the failure radius. The impact of the rate models is most evident on temporal (and spatial) distribution of flow parameters in detonation driving zone, especially when it comes to the conversion and width of detonation driving zone.